The Co-Operatives Podcast

Gaming is fun. Dating is fun. Combining the two can be hard, luckily The Co-Operatives are here! Real-life Human couple Liz and Aaron discuss the joys and sorrows of co-operative gaming with a significant other as they play and discuss video/board games with a co-operative bent! The Co-Operatives releases every other week and is a part of the VStheUNIVERSE Network.

Categories

Aaron & Liz descend deep into the mouth of madness for Fantasy Flight's new third edition of their mainstay tabletop game Arkham Horror! Will this new game evoke strong feelings of insanity? Or will Cthulhu finally take hold and render them asunder? Well, it's a podcast so you'll need to listen to it to find out. We won't give you the answers here.

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

Liz & Aaron avoided those wedding bell blues by getting in the kitchen and serving up some three-star meals! Will they be able to defeat the Unbread? Will The Onion King be appeased? Find out in this new episode!

FYI - The wedding was BRILLIANT and AMAZING.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Turning the systems back on...

1:20 - What's your gaming THING?

4:38 - "What are you playing right now?"

7:30 - Aaron does not like Red Dead Redemption 2.

11:32 - Overcooked 2! And post wedding vibes!

14:30 - General game mechanics, and playing as a Panda/Cat.

17:50 - Differences between Overcooked and Overcooked 2.

20:40 - Should people skip right to Overcooked 2?

25:55 - Communicating during Overcooked 2, and "cooking in a kitchen" as wedding planning.

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

On this week's episode our team of private detectives and psychic investigators follow their visions and play Choose Your Own Adventure: House Of Danger from Z-Man Games. It's a new cooperative adventure game where one or more players play a game version of the famous "Choose Your Own Adventure" books! Will they meet their fate? Or survive long enough to get to the end? Turn to page 92 to find out!

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

Aaron & Liz have RETURNED from Gen Con 2018 with plenty of HOT GOSS TO DISH on new games they played in Indianapolis! They've hand-picked a few games and experiences to tell you about so strap in and get ready for this special report from America's biggest gaming convention! We'll be covering games from Plaid Hat Games, Restoration Games, and more! LISTEN!

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

Before Liz and I began producing The Co-Operatives Podcast, we decided it would be best to test out our idea and make a demo episode of the show. We made this episode after playing LEGO: Dimensions and sent it off to the rest of the VStheUNIVERSE LLC members, and a few other creators we were familiar with. What follows is that test episode, and we hope you enjoy it.

Listening back to this recording, there's a lot of rough edges. There's a lot of bad bits, and more than a few audio/editing flubs on my part. I am most proud of Liz for becoming so proficient at hosting over the past two years, and I'm happy my editing skills have gotten a bit more polished.

Some people thought it was funny that we made a test episode, but I come from a background where you rehearse and rehearse and rehearse before you get in front of an audience. It felt natural to me, and it made us both feel better to get a handle on recording before fully committing to it. Just like in theatre, workshopping helps to provide you with the most excellent end result. I love what the podcast is today, and we would never have gotten there if we didn't try this out first.

Also it's CRAZY to hear how Liz and I sound and act together two years ago versus now. It makes me smile.

We're currently at GenCon, and hope to see you there! Come to our panel and the Earworm meet-up and well high-five! <3

Mountains Of Madness is a game where you go to a mountain, get some artifacts, and leave. Sounds simple right? Not when you have MADNESS AILMENTS INFLICTED ON YOU AT EVERY TURN! Liz and Aaron play this heavy party game and discuss their experiences, both good and bad, and how accessibility is important in the industry.

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

In this very special episode, Aaron & Liz go over their top picks from E3 2018! Expect takes so hot that they burn your shoes off! E3 2018 is the biggest video game event of the year and our intrepid hosts are here to discuss it!

0:00 - Opening bit + hangouts!

5:10 - Talking about E3 2018!

5:55 - Liz wants to discuss Unravel Two!

9:10 - Aaron wants to discuss Resident Evil 2 REmake!

12:10 - Liz wonders how Aaron knows such a large amount of useless knowledge!

14:20 - Liz wants to discuss Super Mario Party! "I never had the experiences that YOU had with games..."

19:20 - Aaron wants to discuss Assassin's Creed: Odyssey!

24:20 - Liz wants to discuss Anthem!

33:30 - Sam Maggs is good.

35:00 - "I WANT TO TALK ABOUT BETHESDA" - Aaron

38:40 - Liz NEEDS to talk about Fallout 76.

46:44 - Liz needs to discuss Killer Queen Black!

49:30 - Aaron fights the urge to flip over Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

56:20 - The Co-Ops needs to discuss Control by Remedy Studios - "I agree, Control looks HOT AS SHIT!"

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

Liz has drinks and Aaron has feelings. Lots of news, updates, and discussion in this one. Let's do this. The game is Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Card Game by Keith Baker and Renegade Game Studios. Insert coin to continue.

TIMESTAMPS!

0:00 - Life updates and what we've been playing

15:15 - Game discussion & intro of game! Plus Liz hates the term "IP" when muggles use it.

16:50 - How we know Scott Pilgrim.

25:03 - Theming is a THING. Plus, the basic rules!

32:10 - Competitive, co-operative, and forgiving playsets.

43:04 - Iconography and confusion.

47:00 - "It takes a lot of effort to create the mechanics they created, but then it wasn't tested."

57:10 - "I feel like you could make a good game...but you didn't. You went for the easy play."

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

We don't know how to say this, but Liz & Aaron are going to prison. Listen to them recall their experiences playing as Leo & Vincent in EA's latest game made by Josef Fares' Hazelight Studio in "A Way Out." It's one of the best co-operative games they've ever played!

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

This episode finds Liz & Aaron masquerading as hoodlums in Master Thief by Sparr Games. Who can steal the most valuables and win the day? We'll find out! Along the way, our intrepid hosts discuss Party Game Etiquette and how to create a fun environment for everyone to enjoy.

They also detail their past crimes. Yikes.

--- Check out Master Thief and more by Sparr Games by heading to www.SparrGames.com or Sparr.games

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

Liz & Aaron gear up with some cat-companions and get to huntin' some big scary kaiju in the world of Monster Hunter! Does it succeed as a good co-operative experience? Let's grab an insect glaive and find out!

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

We've been gathering questions from our listeners for the past few months and are ready to be PUT ON THE SPOT to answer them! We've got questions from our GenCon panel attendees, IRL folks, Twitter, and Facebook, so there's something from everyone. We get into on some of these more personal ones so let's do it!

QUESTIONS

5:00 - What drinks do you pair with gaming or podcasting? Do you theme them with the subject matter, such as rum with pirate games or Zubrowka with the Witcher?

10:48 - How do you get out of a game when it’s taking way too long to finish without hurting anyone’s feelings?

15:35 - What's your favorite non-cooperative game to play and who usually wins?

19:55 - How many games do you own?

25:19 - What are your favorite single player non co-op games?

28:17 - What Resident Evil character do you think best fits you, and what character do you think best fits our fiancé?

29:55 - Do you each have your own set of dice, or do you share?

32:02 - What is a good game to play while a baby is in the other room?

37:23 - How do you get a partner who isn't into gaming to play with you?

45:53 - How do you decide what games to play? How do you listen to your partner in selecting games?

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

Happy New Year! It's 2018 which means we're making a resolution to play more co-op games! FIRST UP: Cuphead by Studio MDHR! This charming homage to 1930's cartoons had Aaron and Liz jumping all over trying to beat some nefarious and difficult bosses. Does the game have what it takes to be enjoyable while being hard as nails? Listen and find out!

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

Romance is in the air! So is Comedy! I guess that means that some sort of Romantic-Comedy mix is surrounding us! That must be why Aaron & Liz are playing Fog Of Love by Hush Hush Projects for this week's episode! This light 2-player RPG captured their hearts and got them coming back for more!

This unique game is one of the most unique and interesting games of 2017, but is it perfect for a first date? Our hosts DISCUSS!

NOTE: This game was given to The Co-Operatives Podcast to review at GenCon 2017.

--- See more about Fog Of Love at their website here: https://www.fogoflove.com/

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

This is a big one! We play and talk about Zombicide: Black Plague from Cool Mini Or Not, a game we both loved despite having some precarious situations emerge at the table. This co-op tabletop board game is pretty fantastic, and we highly recommend it to anyone who's looking to get into a game that can be upgraded easily as time goes on!

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

Our October month of suitably spooky games continues! We tackle a board game that EVERYONE has been telling us to talk about: Betrayal At The House On The Hill!

Avalon Hill and Wizards Of The Coast have been publishing this modern classic since 2004, but have recently updated it with an expansion and spin-off called Betrayal At Baldur's Gate. How fun are they? How do they compare? Which game has more vampires? WE SHALL DISCUSS IT!

NOTE: We received a very strange phone call this episode and apologize for the spooky caller!

TIMECODES:

0:00 GHOSTFACE APPEARS! + What we're playing now!

9:52 Intro & Summary of Betrayal At The House On The Hill.

15:30 The hosts first Betrayal haunts.

20:20 Playing with a narrative focus, and the woes of playing as the Betrayal.

25:13 Playing the game with the right mindset, and the ideal conditions for playing.

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

--- Liz recently guested on ADVENTURE hosted by Pranks Paul for the OneShot Network playing Liara T'Soni for a Mass Effect RPG. Go check out that show and subscribe so you'll get the episodes when they are released!

Special thanks to our Patreon Podcast Producer Danny Saleras for making this show and the VStheUNIVERSE Network possible.

Everyone has been telling Liz & Aaron to play Plaid Hat Games' "Dead Of Winter," so they did! Join them as they discuss zombies, feel-good games, and generally everything they love about Halloween! They don't *adore* it, but it's got a lot to like! Plus, Halloweenie board games are always a good thing, right?

--- Big thanks to our friends Brian, Brittany, and Mike Chuck for playing with us!

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

Aaron says the first Destiny was the best co-operative video game he's ever played, but is he feeling the sequel? Liz wasn't a big fan of the original game, but does Destiny 2 sway her opinion? Well, our intrepid hosts have done nothing but play D2 the past two weeks and they're ready to discuss it on this week's episode! Video games y'all!

For more information on Destiny 2, head to DestinyTheGame.com

--- Want to play Destiny 2 on Ps4 with Liz and Aaron? Join the VStheUNIVERSE Destiny 2 Clan here: https://www.bungie.net/en/ClanV2/Chat?groupId=186890

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

This week Liz & Aaron tackle the new game from Fullbright: TACOMA. In this space mystery, our hosts will need to explore the spaceship TACOMA and uncover the sprawling secrets of the ship and crew.

--- This isn't a co-operative game! We're very supportive of finding ways to enjoy games together even when the game wasn't specifically made for co-op play! Fullbright's games (and other narrative based first-person games) are SUPER FUN to play in couples/groups so try it out!

--- Fullbright also made Gone Home, a game we love! See more about Fullbright by heading here: https://fullbrig.ht/

--- Want to learn more about Tacoma? Head to https://tacoma.game/ for more information on the game and where/how to buy it.

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

Aaron & Liz survived GenCon 2017! Our intrepid hosts details all of the greatest gaming experiences coming out of Indianapolis, IN! Running on low sleep, they recount the best times and what they think the hotness will be for the next few months! Exact timestamps are below because there's a LOT to cover:

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

Special thanks to our Patreon Podcast Producer Danny Saleras for making this show and the VStheUNIVERSE Network possible. Massive high-fives to Rob Hines and Molarduck for leaving five-star reviews on iTunes!

GenCon 50 is just a week away! Aaron and Liz go over the games they purchased last year at the con, and recount their Do's and Don'ts for the country's biggest board game convention! Liz and Aaron give you the rundown on what to prepare for, and how to pace yourself to you don't end up missing out on some of the best and brightest this convention has to offer.

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.

--- Want to learn more about Dark Souls? Visit their Kickstarter page here, or the Steamforged Games website here. This cooperative tabletop board game was sensational and we cannot wait to play it again!

--- If you feel like being super nice, leave us a review on iTunes! It would mean the world to us! Every review lets others know you enjoyed the episode and helps the show grow! Want more Co-Operatives? Then check out our archives for a bunch of episodes that cover cooperative board and video games, dating, and definitely not being robots.